What is this Programme?

It is a two-week work placement programme run by an organization called ‘Business in the Community'. It offers work experience for homeless people with a number of   large companies

Who can go on the Programme?

•  You need to have good communication skills and be presentable.

•  You need to be in temporary accommodation, such as a hostel, or have been recently resettled into longer-term accommodation

•  You should have been looking for work or progressing to that stage

•  You should not have any serious housing problems likely to interfere with the work placement

•  For more detailed guidance go to bitc.org.uk

Getting referred

You need to be put forward for Ready for Work by another homeless organization. This might be your hostel or a daycentre you use. If you do not have a support worker you can ask, then ask at one of the daycentres which provide jobsearch support. See Getting Help and Advice

How does the Programme operate?

•  You are first put forward for the programme and registered for it

•  You then attend two day ‘Ready to Go' training to build your confidence, prepare a CV and work on your interview technique

•  At the end of the two day training you have interviews with companies who are offering placements

•  If you are successful, you then go on a two week work placement which is unpaid but approved by the jobcentre. You will be assigned a ‘buddy' within the company who will offer you support through the placement. Sometimes the placement might be extended to 4 weeks

•  At the end of the placement you will have help updating your CV and receive a written reference from the employer

•  After the placement, you will be paired with a ‘job coach' who will meet regularly with you over the next 6 months to offer support. You can also attend network meetings at large company offices to keep up your motivation

What sort of Companies are involved?

They include: Marks & Spencer, Barclays, KPMG, Royal Mail, and Freshfields Solicitors